Pest infestations are a common problem in restaurants and can cause significant health risks to both customers and employees. This issue can result in reputational damage, loss of customers, and legal consequences if it is not managed properly.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the common pests that can infest restaurants, the risks they pose, and steps that can be taken to prevent and address infestations.
Common pests in restaurants
There are several types of pests that can infest restaurants, including:
- Cockroaches: These insects are attracted to warm, moist environments and can be found in areas such as kitchens, pantries, and storage rooms. They can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria and pathogens, and can cause allergies and asthma in some people.
- Rodents: Mice and rats are attracted to food sources and can be found in kitchens, storage rooms, and other areas where food is stored. They can contaminate food and surfaces with their urine and faeces, and can transmit diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus.
- Flies: Flies are attracted to food and can be found in areas such as dining rooms, kitchens, and garbage areas. They can spread bacteria and pathogens and can contaminate food and surfaces with their faeces.
Health risks of pest infestations
Pest infestations in restaurants can pose several health risks, including:
- Food poisoning: Pests can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria and pathogens, causing food poisoning and other illnesses.
- Allergic reactions: Some pests, such as cockroaches, can trigger allergies and asthma in some people.
- Disease transmission: Rodents and other pests can transmit diseases such as salmonella, hantavirus, and the bubonic plague.
- Reputation damage: A pest infestation can damage a restaurant’s reputation and lead to negative reviews and decreased business.
- Legal repercussions: Restaurants can be fined or even shut down if they fail to comply with health and safety regulations regarding pest infestations.
Steps to prevent and address pest infestations
There are several steps that can be taken to prevent and address pest infestations in restaurants, including:
- Regular inspections: Restaurants should have regular inspections by licensed pest control professionals to identify and address any signs of infestation.
- Maintain cleanliness: Keep the restaurant clean and free of debris, food scraps, and standing water. Make sure that garbage is disposed off properly and regularly.
- Train staff: Train staff to be vigilant and report any signs of pest activity immediately.
- Seal entry points: Seal all entry points where pests may enter, such as gaps around doors and windows, and cracks in walls.
- Store food properly: Store food in sealed containers and off the floor to prevent pests from accessing it.
- Pest control methods: If a pest infestation is identified, take immediate action to address the issue, and control pest populations. We will be discussing some nontoxic methods to deal with pest infestations in this blog post.
COCKROACHES RESPONSIBLE FOR ALMOST HALF OF OC RESTAURANT CLOSURES OVER PAST 5 YEARS – ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
By Chris Krogh Last updated Mar 4, 2023
Cockroaches and rodent infestations were the top two causes for temporary restaurant closures across Orange County over the past five years.
The amount of inspections a restaurant will require per year depends on the risk of a foodborne illness. The more complex the food preparation and food service is, the more inspections there will be, with as many as three inspections a year.
From 2017 through mid-December 2022, the Orange County Health Agency conducted almost 117,000 inspections resulting in slightly more than 3,000 closures. Of those closures, 47.8% cited cockroach infestations, according to data obtained by the Orange County Register through a public records request.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which essentially halted in-person services for a period of time, substantially decreased the number of total health inspections. The average number of total inspections from 2017 to 2019 was just above 22,000 which dropped to just under 17,000 from 2020 to 2022 as the restaurant and food service industry continues to recover.
And yet, cockroaches remained responsible for roughly 44% to 50% of closures over the five-year period.
Cockroaches by nature are nocturnal, like confined spaces and feed on anything that humans also eat, making restaurants a haven.
But the cockroach problem is largely preventable, said UC Davis Professor of Entomology and Director of The Bohart Museum of Entomology Lynn Kemsey.
“The problem in public spaces like restaurants, they’re attracted to the bathrooms because of the water as well as the kitchens so you’ve got them carrying bacteria from the bathrooms into the kitchens and vice versa,” Kemsey said.
The solution comes down to simply keeping the restaurant and its surrounding areas (like if the trash bin behind the restaurant) clean.
RAT FAECES, COCKROACHES: SIX KK WATERFRONT PREMISES ORDERED CLOSED FOR TWO WEEKS
Published on: Friday, February 24, 2023
By: Jonathan Nicholas
KOTA KINABALU: Six premises at the popular Waterfront nightspot here were ordered closed for two weeks after rats and cockroaches were found scurrying the kitchen and storerooms on Thursday evening.
Routine inspections carried out by the Sabah Health Department (SHD) on some 21 bars and restaurants saw the issuance of ten compounds under Reg. 34 (1) of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.
The compounds, depending on the premise licence, ranged between RM500 and RM1000.
SHD Food Safety and Quality Health Inspector Rozita Ibrahim said the offence was a failure to maintain hygiene standards including those of the food handlers.
“If we find rats, the place will automatically be shut down. Rat faeces were found in a few premises while many had cockroaches and flies.”
For maintaining the hygiene and safety at your restaurant against the pesky rodents and insects we can help you by providing you with an eco-friendly solution which is RodrepelTM, TermirepelTM, and CombirepelTM.
These products are manufactured by C Tech Corporation using green technology. The restaurants can be well protected by using these products. The products are a green technology product that does not kill the pest but only repels thus maintaining the ecological balance of the earth.
These products are available in four forms viz. Masterbatch, Liquid Concentrate, lacquer, and wood polish additive.
Masterbatch can be incorporated in the polymer-based applications while processing them. The polymer applications like wires, cables, pipes, polymer made kitchen equipment, etc. can be manufactured by using our masterbatch.
Liquid concentrate can be mixed in paints in proper proportion and cover the entire area of infestation by paints. Lacquer can be directly used as a top coating over the application. The wood polish additive is also a topical application that can be mixed in the wood polish and applied on wooden surfaces.
Our newly developed product is in the form of a spray, called RodrepelTM rodent repellent spray , TermirepelTM insect repellent spray, CombirepelTM pest repellent spray which are an easy to use product. The spray can be sprayed on infested areas and equipment that need protection from rodents.
Our product solutions do not interfere with the properties of the application and in plus point provides complete protection against the harmful pest like rats and mice and various insects.
Pest infestations in restaurants can pose a serious health risk and damage the restaurant’s reputation. Contact us at technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com if you’re facing problems with pests and get the best remedies to combat this menace.
Also, visit our websites:
http://www.ctechcorporation.com/
http://www.rodrepel.com/
http://www.termirepel.com/
http://www.combirepel.com/
Follow our Facebook pages at:
1] https://www.facebook.com/Combirepel-411710912249274/
2] https://www.facebook.com/Termirepel-104225413091251/
3] https://www.facebook.com/Rodrepel-120734974768048/